Ratio of T1-Weighted to T2-Weighted Signal Intensity as a Measure of Tissue Integrity: Comparison with Magnetization Transfer Ratio in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2020 Mar;41(3):461-463. doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A6481. Epub 2020 Mar 5.

Abstract

The study aim was to compare the ratio of T1WI to T2WI signal intensity (T1/T2) with magnetization transfer ratio, a marker of myelin integrity, in patients with multiple sclerosis. A moderate correlation (r = 0.50, P = .034) was found between the magnetization transfer ratio and T1/T2 in normal-appearing gray matter, and a strong correlation for normal-appearing white matter (r = 0.63, P = .005) and lesions (r = 0.70, P = .001). Results suggest that besides myelin integrity, other factors may be playing a role in T1/T2 measures.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain / pathology
  • Female
  • Gray Matter / diagnostic imaging
  • Gray Matter / pathology
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / diagnostic imaging*
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / pathology
  • Myelin Sheath / pathology
  • White Matter / diagnostic imaging*
  • White Matter / pathology